Key Takeaways
- • Advent International is seeking to sell Singapore-based education provider The Learning Lab for between $400m and $500m, according to Bloomberg, marking its second exit attempt since 2021.
- • The US private equity firm has reportedly appointed an adviser to oversee the sale.
- • Part of the proceeds is expected to repay a SGD 265m private credit facility provided by KKR, HPS Investment Partners and Nomura in 2023, which matures in 2027.
- • Advent acquired The Learning Lab in 2014 and is understood to own it outright.
- • Private equity and venture capital investment in Asian education services fell 87% to $240m in 2025, according to S&P Global.
Summary
Advent International is seeking to sell The Learning Lab, a Singapore-based education provider, for between $400m and $500m, according to a report by Bloomberg. The sale would mark the firm's second attempt to exit the business since 2021. The US private equity firm has reportedly appointed an adviser to oversee the process.
A portion of the sale proceeds is expected to repay a SGD 265m private credit facility extended in 2023 by KKR, HPS Investment Partners and Nomura. The facility is scheduled to mature in 2027, giving the sponsor a defined refinancing timeline that the exit would address.
Advent acquired The Learning Lab in 2014 and is understood to hold full ownership of the business. The company provides educational services to preschool, primary, secondary and junior college students in Singapore, and runs online programmes serving Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
The potential exit comes against a backdrop of sharply reduced private capital flows into Asian education. According to S&P Global, private equity and venture capital investment in education services across the region fell 87% to $240m in 2025, reflecting greater investor selectivity, concerns over artificial intelligence disruption and a growing backlog of private equity exits.
A portion of the sale proceeds is expected to repay a SGD 265m private credit facility extended in 2023 by KKR, HPS Investment Partners and Nomura. The facility is scheduled to mature in 2027, giving the sponsor a defined refinancing timeline that the exit would address.
Advent acquired The Learning Lab in 2014 and is understood to hold full ownership of the business. The company provides educational services to preschool, primary, secondary and junior college students in Singapore, and runs online programmes serving Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
The potential exit comes against a backdrop of sharply reduced private capital flows into Asian education. According to S&P Global, private equity and venture capital investment in education services across the region fell 87% to $240m in 2025, reflecting greater investor selectivity, concerns over artificial intelligence disruption and a growing backlog of private equity exits.
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